Paul L. King, finish plant supervisor, age 40, was electrocuted
at approximately 2:15 p.m. on May 16, 1997, when he came into
contact with the metal casing of a water pump that was energized
with 120 volts AC. The victim had 20 years experience at this
mine, the last 16 as finish plant supervisor. Records indicated
he had received annual refresher training in February 1997.

Michael McHugh, chief supervisor for Kentucky Solite Corporation,
notified the Birmingham, Alabama, district office of the accident
at 3:30 p.m., on May 16, 1997. An investigation was started the
same day.

The Kentucky Solite Corporation, a multiple bench shale and clay
operation, owned and operated by Kentucky Solite Corporation, was
located off Highway 1020 in Brooks, Bullitt County, Kentucky.
The principal operating official was Patrick Piazza, general
plant manager. The mine normally worked one, 8-hour shift a day,
5 days a week and employed 46 persons.

The material was drilled, blasted, crushed, and sized on site.
It was then conveyed to stockpiles where it was sold as
lightweight aggregate.

The last regular inspection of this operation was conducted April
15-17, 1997.

PHYSICAL FACTORS INVOLVED

The accident occurred in the lower sump of the finish plant
building. The sump was constructed of concrete and measured 12
feet wide, 18 feet long and 5 feet deep. The sump was accessed
by a metal stairway. At the time of the accident, the sump
contained approximately 10 inches of water.

A 3 HP, 120 volt AC sump pump manufactured by the Zoeller Pump
Company was located in the sump. Power for the pump was supplied
from a wall outlet by two extension cords.

The 120 volt AC outlet was located on the south wall of the first
floor of the finish plant building and was protected by a 20 amp
single pole circuit breaker located in a panel on the second
floor electrical control room. Electrical metallic tubing was
used as the grounding conductor from the panel to the outlet.

One extension cord was an 18/3 AWG SO cord about 20 feet long and
the other was a 16/3 AWG SO cord about 25 feet long. Both cords
recently had new female ends installed.

The extension cord nearest the sump pump was improperly wired by
having the ground wire connected to the hot terminal, the hot
wire connected to the neutral terminal and the neutral wire
connected to the ground terminal.

The extension cord plugged into the wall outlet had the hot wire
connected to the neutral terminal and the neutral wire connected
to the hot terminal resulting in reverse polarity. This
configuration of the two extension cords caused the casing of the
pump to be energized.

DESCRIPTION OF ACCIDENT

Paul L. King, victim, reported for work on May 16, 1997, at 6:00
a.m., his regular starting time. King proceeded with his normal
duties as supervisor. About 1:00 p.m. he was observed walking
toward the finish plant building. There were no witnesses to the
accident. However, since employees stated that the pump was not
in the sump earlier on the day of the accident, it is believed
King put the pump in the sump and connected the power cords.
Apparently when the pump failed to start, King went to check on
it and was electrocuted.

At approximately 3:15 p.m. Ernest Sparks, scalehouse operator
went into the office and the secretary asked Sparks if King had
gone home. Sparks said that King's personal vehicle was still in
the parking lot and his office door was still open.

At this time, several employees went into the plant area to look
for King. Sparks went to the finish building and found King
laying in the sump on his right side with his left foot on the
bottom step of the metal stairway with his face under water.

Sparks immediately disconnected the two extension cords going to
the pump and called for help. Several employees went to the
scene while Mike McHugh, chief supervisor called 911. The
employees checked for vital signs but were unable to detect a
pulse. The Bullitt County Sheriff's Department, emergency
management service and County Coroner arrived on the scene about
3:40 p.m. The Coroner pronounced the victim dead at 3:45 p.m.
and estimated the time of death to be about 2:15 p.m. The cause
of death was electrocution.

CONCLUSION

The cause of the accident was improper repair to extension cords
and failure to test the cords after repairs were made.

VIOLATIONS

Order No. 4554445

Issued on May 17, 1997, under the
provisions of Section 103(k):

Paul King, an employee, was discovered face down in the
lower crusher house crusher sump area by a fellow
employee. The cause of his death was unknown at this
time. This order is issued to insure the safety of
persons and preservation of the evidence present
including the cooling sump, all equipment and items in
the area and electrically powered equipment until the
affected area of the mine has been investigated by the
investigation team and this order has been modified or
terminated.

This order was terminated on May 20, 1997, at 0900
hours. MSHA has completed the investigation of the
finished plant. All equipment, lower sump,
electrically powered equipment and items in the area is
hereby released to plant management.

Citation No. 4521026

Issued on May 20, 1997, under provisions
of Section 104(a) of the Mine Act for violation of Standard
56.12028:

A complete test of continuity and resistance of
grounding systems was not being conducted annually and
after repairs. The sump pump was not tested annually
and the two power cords connected to the sump pump was